Mike Nartker
WC Monitor
8/1/2014
As the investigation into the radiological release that shut down the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant continues, investigators are looking at whether a fire event within the room where the release is believed to have occurred was a contributing factor, WC Monitor has learned, though the exact cause of the incident remains in question. A key question to be resolved in the investigation is whether an internal reaction within a waste drum resulted in its breach, and thereby releasing contamination; or whether an external source caused the drum to breach. According to officials familiar with the investigation, examiners are considering whether there were small localized fires within Room 7 that led to a waste drum being heated and subsequently breaching. The exact cause of such fires, though, is still unknown.
The idea that small fires occurred in Room 7 is based on observations of damage within the room, according to officials familiar with the investigation, and such fires are not believed to be linked to a truck haul fire that occurred at WIPP days before the radiological release. Investigators are examining whether some sort of flame exposure occurred a few rows away from where a breached drum was located. The exact source of such flame exposure, and its cause, remain uncertain.
The Department of Energy said late this week that it is examining all possible options in its investigation into how the release occurred. “As part of the ongoing efforts to identify the cause of the February 14 event at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, we are evaluating all possible causes including the waste packages themselves. All possible scenarios will be thoroughly investigated until the cause of the event has been determined,” a DOE spokesperson said in a written response, adding, “The Accident Investigation Board is continuing its investigation and will make their report public when final.”
Previous Theories Have Focused on Material Within Drum
At the center of the radiological release that occurred at WIPP is a drum of transuranic waste from the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Some theories have centered on the possibility that a reaction occurred between materials in nitrate-bearing waste drums from LANL, including organic absorbents and neutralizers. To date, though, Los Alamos has been unable to replicate such a reaction. Another factor under examination, according to local media reports, is a lead-lined glove that was in the drum. An official at the Los Alamos National Laboratory told a New Mexico state legislature committee last week that the glove and trace metals are being looked at as a potential factor in the release, the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reported this week.
DOE Wrapping Up Corrective Actions to Address MSHA Citations
Meanwhile, DOE said this week that it is close to completing corrective actions to address a set of more than 50 citations the Mine Safety and Health Administration issued to WIPP after an inspection in June. The inspection focused on WIPP’s aboveground facilities, and the MSHA issued 52 citations “for various conditions including general workplace tidiness, exposed electrical wiring and missing safety guards on equipment,” DOE said. The citations included a number of housekeeping issues, missing signs and non-working lights, among others.
Of the 52 citations, 49 have had corrective actions implemented and have been addressed, DOE said. The three remaining citations to be addressed deal with missing equipment guards. “The safety guards are being designed and fabricated at an offsite location and will be installed when they are received,“ DOE said. In a written response late this week, a DOE spokesman said, “The Department of Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnership take the citations issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) very seriously. Immediately following the MSHA visit, corrective actions were implemented and only one citation remains open. WIPP’s primary goal is the safety of our workforce, the environment and the community. We will implement lessons learned and verify all corrective actions are completed.”
